Abstract This paper explains that even the acquisition of Alta California from the Spaniards changed little the agrarian social and economic structure of "Southern" California; but the discovery of gold in "Northern" California brought new settlers, creating large cities, altering the agrarian way of life of the people and separating the northern culture from that of "Southern" California. The author points out the perpetually controversial importance of water as determined by two conflicting legal doctrines, the doctrine of riparian rights, signifying that the owners of land not contiguous to a stream had no rights to the water, and the second the doctrine of "prior appropriation", giving the first user of water the unrestrained right to divert it from the stream and to sell this right to others. The paper relates that, though growth in "Southern" California started slowly, it was enhanced by various land booms over the rest of the 19th century and into the 20th century and set the stage for rapid growth in industry and commerce, including the film industry.
From the Paper "The prevailing economic form was a system of land tenure, from which the ranchos evolved. This system was based on an ancient principle of Spanish law, which saw the king as owner in fee simple of all the colonial possessions in the New World. This was the Latin encomienda system. The settlement of the region was conducted by use of presidios, missions and pueblos, each founded on a land grant from the crown."
Abstract The ancient mode of production (antiquity) was based on a form of division of labor between two social classes, namely slaves and slave owners. In these agrarian societies, the slave owners controlled the forces of production and the means of production, including estates and plantations.
A critical overview of Timothy J. Henderson's "The Worm in the Wheat: Rosalie Evans and Agrarian Struggle in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley of Mexico, 1906-1927".
957 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 33.95
Abstract In his book "The Worm in the Wheat: Rosalie Evans and Agrarian Struggle in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley of Mexico, 1906-1927", Timothy Henderson recounts the story of the American Rosalie Evans who sought to prevent her family's Mexican hacienda from being overrun in the Mexican Revolution. The paper argues that while the book is a pleasure to read, that pleasure is in part derived from Henderson dramatizing events. It also shows that the plight of both Evans and the campesinos is acknowledged, but only Evans' plight is sympathized with.
From the Paper "Henderson is aware that history is not right versus wrong. Although he describes Evans as "brave, intelligent, determined, and even compassionate," Henderson is also aware that "she was obstinate, bigoted, selfish, self-righteous, and prepared to bend the facts" (2). Clearly, Evans was no angel, but neither was she a demon. She had a legal right to the land she was trying to prevent the peasants from overrunning. At the same time, conditions on the haciendas were notoriously poor, including on Evans'. There is no denying the fact that the campesinos who worked on the haciendas of people like Evans were exploited. Henderson does pay lip service to the plight of the peasants and to the negative side of Evans' personality." "
Abstract The works of Jane Austen have remained popular for many years, both as romantic tales of flirtations and courtship, as well as of marriage and the social structure on which it was based. This paper discusses how Austen's novels are also an invaluable tool as a representation of changing social circumstances of the British society she knew so well. It shows how, as the life of the upper gentry became transformed by agrarian culture, one can examine Austen's works as a dramatic representation of this transition and as a key to the changing times in which Austen and her contemporaries lived.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Preparations for the Ball: The Importance of Location
The Site of the Ball at the Crown
The Festivities Begin
Conclusion
From the Paper "Preparations for the Ball are first at hand; the planners, having decided upon the Randalls as the setting, must now determine whether there is enough room to accommodate the guests comfortably. Emma and Frank Churchill debate the adequacy of space; Frank, asserting the "'there will be very tolerable room,'" is contradicted by Emma: "'Nothing can be farther from pleasure than to be dancing in a crowd--and a crowd in a little room!'" (Emma, p. 255). The question of whether or not ten couples can enjoy themselves within the close space at Randalls is discussed for quite some time, and is only resolved by the decision to hold the Ball elsewhere. Why does Austen include so lengthy a passage on the availability of space? This in itself is a question worthy of further investigation."
Abstract Analysis of principal elements of the NEP. Lenin's ideological commitment to the interntional socialist revolution; Marxist ideology; Communism. Radical Bolshevik wing & failures of Bolshevik governance. Agrarian polich; Urban industrial and agrarian peasant interests. Soviet commitment to national economic growth. Annotated Bibliographjy.
From the Paper "This research examines the reasons behind Lenin's adoption of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1921 in the wake of the Soviet revolution in 1917. The research will set forth the principal elements of the NEP and the context in which it emerged as an issue for the Bolshevik/Communist government, and then explore the literature of the Soviet state with a view toward identifying factors that positioned Lenin to promulgate the policy.
In order to understand Lenin's adoption of the NEP, it is necessary to appreciate Lenin's ideological commitment to international socialist revolution, the establishment of the War Communism policy (precursor of the NEP), as well as the dynamic situation of revolutionary governance in Russia from the time of the 1917 success of the Bolsheviks until 1921, when the NEP was..."
Abstract This paper discusses good governance of institutions, focusing on social enterprise strategy for rural development. The paper looks into underlying concepts and dimensions of governance. It then discusses the role of the state, the private sector, and civil society in governance in order to understand points of convergence for operating good governance strategies. The paper emphasizes the need to evolve institutions as elemental units for carrying out good governance strategies. Finally, the paper provides a case-in-point - the Local Convergence Initiative for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (LCIARRD).
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction And Conceptual Framework
Discussion And Review Of Related Literature
Pre-conditions of Good Governance
Essential Actors
The Social Enterprise Alternative
Case-In-Point: The Local Convergence Initiative for Agrarian Reform
and Rural Development (LCIARRD)
Results and Lessons
Synthesis: Imperatives Of Institutions Of Participatory Governance
Conclusion
From the Paper "Thirdly, critical to all these relational and collaborative institutional platforms that form the important elements and agents of governance and good governance at that, is the establishment and strengthening of mutual accountability and trust. Notable in the preceding case was the reluctance by farmers to contribute their equity and the seeming "risk-aversive" behavior by farmers due perhaps to long experienced cycle of lack of predictability of government policies if not utter neglect thereof in many of the governments half-hearted agricultural intervention programs. Hence, the platform of local convergence initiatives seeks to address this gap by establishing a platform where these key players can work effectively to achieve individual goals and institutionally set development objectives in a way that provides for mutual accountability and building of trust, which is a potent exercise that could be microcosmic of the wider governance environment."
An examination of the reasons behind the dissatisfaction of the American rural class in the 19th century, and how farmers organized to solve their problems.
1,088 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 37.95
From the Paper "The late nineteenth century was a time of drastic change in the United States. The country was growing at an unprecedented rate, and the Industrial Revolution was sweeping the nation. This industrial revolution not only affected those working in the newly founded industries and those in the cities, but the revolution impacted the farmers as well. American farmers were, as a whole, dissatisfied with their state of affairs, and began an agrarian movement. The farmers' grievances were multifaceted, and generally had merit, though allegations of an organized conspiracy to thwart the farmers were unfounded. Further, the discontent of the farmers was displayed in the formation of an organized political movement, which never before existed to such a degree. "
Abstract This paper studies and praises the painting "L?Yerres, Effet de Pluie" by Gutave Caillebotte. It gives a brief history of his life, his influences, and an overview of the impressionist era. It then gives a detailed analysis of the work and the artist's individual style employed.
From the paper:
"Impressionism was, of course, contemporaneous historically with the ascendancy of the city and the machine. Certainly the Industrial Revolution and the processes of urbanization had been in full swing for a number of decades before Monet and Manet and Renoir set pigment and imagination to canvas. But by their generation, it was becoming suddenly clear to everyone that the ancient rhythms of the agrarian world and the far-more ancient domination over human life of nature's cycles was being cast aside."
This paper examines some of the moral issues that Michael Shaara's book, "The Killer Angels", raises and how these are related to ideals of leadership extolled and personified by those who lead the Battle of Gettysburg, especially George Meade.
Abstract The following paper looks at a number of moral aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg as portrayed in the Shaara's book. By looking at these aspects of his book and of the battle the writer differentiates in some measure the reasons that the soldiers on the field had for fighting the war and the reasons generally given by historians.
From the Paper "Shaara neither attempts to vilify nor to excuse the officers or soldiers of the Confederacy (or the Union) but looks at them instead as individuals, many of whom were astonishingly brave and committed to their causes. Shaara allows us to see that although the war was in some wars about slavery and in some ways about the growing divide between the agrarian culture of the South as opposed to the industrial culture of the North, it was also about two groups of soldiers fighting for the survival of their homeland, their families, their farms, the places where they had played as children."
Abstract This paper examines the idea of a society filled with leisure (or work) as has been explored by a number of prominent thinkers since the Enlightenment. The paper also examines social categories such as class, and these categories are shown to be intimately linked to ideas about leisure, technology, work and finally ? to ideas on what it means to be human. The paper looks at Adam Smith's book "The Theory of Moral Sentiments," in which work is part of evolutionary progress; Voltaire's "Candide," in which pursuing meaningful work is the means to salvation; Auguste Comte's theory of an ideal positivist society; Karl Marx's theories of class and production; Max Weber's Calvinistic theory of work; George Herbert Mead's symbolic interactionism; and Habermas' Western Marxism. The paper concludes that while humanity is ill-suited to leisure, technology has provided us with more leisure than ever before.
From the Paper "If the American and French revolutions laid down the political pattern of the modern world, the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain laid down the economic pattern and with this, ideas about what should be the relative importance of leisure and work ? and wealth ? in our lives. The changes that took place in Britain during the 19th century became almost a prototype of industrialization and of increasing leisure, wealth and surplus to a growing segment of society, although not, by all means, to all segments of society. To choose to industrialize (and to not so choose meant risking backwardness and dependence) was to imitate consciously the British Industrial Revolution and so also to buy into a certain set of economic precepts about the role of technology and the purpose of human labor. As with all areas of human endeavor, however, there were often substantial gaps between idealized versions of society and realistic ones. In the case of how people thought that technology and human labor might interact, there were also substantial differences in what people thought that they wanted and what they actually wanted, as we shall see."
Abstract This paper is a detailed review of the life and principal works of Adam Smith, including "The Wealth of Nations", with an analysis of how his ideas on laissez-faire economics contrasted with those ideas of Karl Marx, and how his and Marx's ideas apply today.
From the Paper "Adam Smith was one of the most influential people in the lives of each of living at the beginning of the 21st century, although ? ironically ? we tend not to see the extent of his influence simply because it is so vast. It is like the air around us, something essential to our environment but impossible to see. But while oxygen supports us as biological entities, the ideas Smith (along with other key social critics and thinkers like Karl Marx) in their different ways support us as social animals.
This paper explores the contributions of Adam Smith to our understanding of the human condition, looking briefly at the personal backgrounds of this political philosopher before examining his ideas about social justice, the economy and the ways in which governments should and should not intervene in the economies of their states."
Tags: economic history theory Adam work industrialization agrarian society, modern economy laissez faire karl wealth of nations moral sentiments voltaire candide
An insight into the facts and myths of the "Wild West" as seen in "The Way to the West" by Elliott West and "The American West: The Modern Vision" by Patricia Janis Broder.
1,677 words (approx. 6.7 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 54.95
Abstract This paper gives an historical insight into the history of what has become known as the "Wild West" by the review of two books, "The Way to the West" by Elliott West and "The American West: The Modern Vision" by Patricia Janis Broder. It examines how both authors present us with an explanation of the incursions of the white settlers into what was then the West and the process through which the West became a place where people could live out their dreams. It examines the shift from traditional hunting and gathering strategies of the American Indians to the agrarian nature of the settlers and the economics of making a living in the West. Both books also look at the myths about the West that have grown out of the facts.
From the Paper "It has become fashionable in recent years to scoff at the myth of the West and to replace this myth with history. This is in large measure what West has set out to do. He is intent on telling a real story about a real place, and in particular in telling an environmental story about the fragility of the Plains, with their uncertain and limited rainfall. Looking at a part of the country that was once the West ? Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming ? West looks very carefully at the historical record of the place, at what lured families from the East, what made them stay or move on, what made them succeed or fail."
Examines the industrial revolution and its impact on American artists before and after the Civil War. Discusses themes, socioeconomic aspects, style and major artists.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 4 sources, 1999, $ 55.95
Abstract "The industrial revolution took permanent hold in the United States around 1850 and its influence on American art is felt to the present day. But this influence was quite diffuse and ranged from direct responses to the changing nature of American society to the ability of new wealth to support styles of art that took little cognizance of anything as mundane as industry. In the second half of the nineteenth century America was transformed by its rise to immense power and wealth from a middling nation with limited influence to its twentieth-century position as a world leader. In domestic terms the growth of industry signaled the start of great waves of immigration that changed the ethnic makeup of the young country and it heightened the contrast between agrarian and urban economies.
From the Paper "The industrial revolution took permanent hold in the United States around 1850 and its influence on American art is felt to the present day. But this influence was quite diffuse and ranged from direct responses to the changing nature of American society to the ability of new wealth to support styles of art that took little cognizance of anything as mundane as industry. In the second half of the nineteenth century America was transformed by its rise to immense power and wealth from a middling nation with limited influence to its twentieth-century position as a world leader. In domestic terms the growth of industry signaled the start of great waves of immigration that changed the ethnic makeup of the young country and it heightened the contrast between agrarian and urban economies that had been a source of conflict since the time of Jefferson. In international terms the ..."
Abstract This paper examines the topic of modern nomads, the twentieth century equivalent of people and families constantly on the move. It shows how in the last twenty years or so, people have become more and more mobile, moving from place to place, city to city, and even house to house. It analyzes some of the U.K. 2001 census statistics and analyzes the change in population density percentages over time. It discusses the socio-economic factors that make people move and the major shift from an agrarian culture to a technological one. The paper concludes with the physical act of moving itself, how it is not so easy and very costly to up and move home. Even trends in furniture are changing, people prefer free standing over built-in and have a tendancy to buy furniture that is light and easy to move.
From the Paper "There is quite a bit of hard statistical evidence that shows that people are indeed very mobile. In 2001, the census showed that 57 percent of people who own the titles to their homes (owe no mortgage) had lived in that home for over twenty years. The second least mobile group were local authority tenants, where 25 percent had been in their home for over twenty years. his is due to a variety of factors. As for the home owners, these people are established in their homes and careers. To have owned a home and to have lived their for twenty years. These people lived in a different age than people do now, people to day, as the statistics bear out, are much more mobile. People living in local authority housing are restricted in their moving, therefore they do not move particularly often. Tenants that live in housing associations are only half as likely as local authority tenants to live in their residence for over twenty years. In fact, only 13 percent of these tenants are likely to stay in the same place for that long."
